AU2006325588B2

AU2006325588B2 - Dual draft vessel

Info

Publication number: AU2006325588B2
Application number: AU2006325588A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Johan Albert Commandeur; Willem Jacob Van Der Velde; Willem Johannes Alain Wassink
Original assignee: GustoMSC Resources BV; Seaway Heavy Lifting Engineering BV
Current assignee: Seaway Heavy Lifting Engineering BV; GustoMSC BV
Priority date: 2005-12-14
Filing date: 2006-12-14
Publication date: 2012-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-14
Also published as: WO2007069897A1; US8960116B2; DK1960256T3; MX2008007720A; AU2006325588A1; BRPI0619946B1; DE602006006927D1; NO20083019L; KR101331294B1; KR20080089365A; NO338346B1; ATE431797T1; BRPI0619946A2; US20080295756A1; CN101365621B; EP1960256B1; EP1960256A1; CN101365621A; MY148240A

Abstract

Vessel comprising a hull o f a substantially clo sed surface having at deck level a lifting crane, ballast tanks within the hull and a ballast control unit for admitting water to the ballast tanks for changing the draft of the vessel, wherein the hull has a narrow lower section having first width over a height from keel level to a widening level, and a top section have a larger width than the lower section, extending from the widening level upwards towards deck level, wherein the ballast control unit is adapted to ballast the vessel to have a relatively shallow draft level in a transit mode, so that the wide top section is above water level, while the vessel is traveling, and to ballast the vessel to a relatively deep draft level in a lifting mode such that the widening level is below water level, at least when the vessel is substantially stationary and the crane is in its lifting position. The shallow draft mode provides for increased transit speed and improved motion characteristics for better operability, such as during pipe lay operations. The low draft level provides improved stability during lifting operations.

Description

1 Dual draft crane vessel The invention relates to a vessel comprising a hull of a substantially closed surface having at deck level a lifting crane, ballast tanks within the hull and the ballast 5 control system for admitting water to the ballast tanks for changing the draft of the vessel. It is known to float offshore constructions, such as support structures for semi submersible platforms, to the deployment site at a relatively shallow draft level, while the semi-submersible support structure is towed by one or more tugs. The support 10 structure comprises two parallel, substantially horizontal ballastable buoyancy bodies and vertical support columns resting on the buoyancy bodies. At the deployment site, the support structure is ballast had to a relatively deep draft level, such that a stable configuration with a low centre of gravity is obtained. A superstructure carrying hydrocarbon processing and/or exploration equipment and crew quarters is attached to 15 the columns of the support structure by a crane at a safe distance above water level. Lifting barges for lifting the superstructures of oil or gas platforms may have a lifting capacity of 1200 tons or over, and need to operate at calm seas. The lifting barge is a relatively wide for increased stability. This increased width however makes these barges susceptible to wave movements as the natural frequency of these wide vessels is 20 close to the average wave period of about 7-8s. Hence the non-lifting vessels and barges have a limited operating window and are subject to undesired roll motions under all conditions. The invention provides a single-hulled vessel comprising a hull of a single substantially closed surface having at deck level a lifting crane, upper and lower ballast 25 tanks within the hull and a ballast control unit for admitting water to the lower ballast tanks for changing the draft of the vessel, wherein the hull has a narrow lower section having first width over a height from keel level to a widening level, lower ballast tanks being situated in the lower section, and a top section have a larger width than the lower section, extending from the widening level upwards towards deck level, the upper 30 ballast tanks being situated in the upper section, wherein the ballast control unit is adapted to ballast the lower ballast tanks to control the draft of the vessel such as to have a relatively shallow draft level in a transit mode wherein the crane extends substantially parallel to a deck and the wide top section is above water level while the 1A vessel is traveling, and to ballast the vessel to a relatively deep draft level in a lifting mode such that the widening level is below water level, at least when the vessel is substantially stationary and the crane is in an up righted lifting position, the upper ballast tanks being filled and emptied under control of the ballast control unit for 5 providing an anti-heeling moment during lifting. Some embodiments may provide: a lifting vessel with improved sailing properties and reduce the roll motions; a lifting vessel which can be employed for pipelaying or lift preparation or general construction operation at relatively high sea; and/or a multi-purpose lifting vessel which has a large operating window and limited 10 down time. Hereto the vessel of the present invention includes a hull having a narrow lower section having a first width extending over a height from keel level to a widening level, and the top section having a larger width than the lower section, extending from the widening level upwards towards deck level, wherein the ballast control system is 15 adapted to ballast the vessel to have a relatively shallow draft in a WO 2007/069897 PCT/NL2006/050317 2 shallow draft mode, so that the wide top section is above water level and to ballast the ship to a relatively deep draft level in a lifting mode such that the widening level is below water level, at least when the vessel is substantially stationary and the crane is in its lifting position. 5 When the vessel is deballasted, the water line will be defined by the narrow lower section, such that the vessel has favorable motional behavior in shallow draft mode for higher transit speed and operational (other than lifting) conditions. Preferably operational roll periods will be higher than 12 s, preferably higher than 14 s. During transit, the crane can be in a substantially horizontal transit position, the arm extending 10 along deck level. Operational speeds of for instance 15 knots or more are achieved. Also preparation activities prior to lifting heavy objects (inclusive of operation of the crane for the handling of smaller loads) can be carried out in the shallow draft mode of the vessel with reduced roll motions, during which the vessel may be substantially stationary, moored, under dynamic positioning or sailing at relatively low speeds. In 15 this way, the operational window is increased compared to crane vessels that can only be operated at a single, relatively large width. During lifting operations, the vessel is substantially stationary and is ballasted such that the relatively wide section is at submerged, for instance between 2m and 3m below water level. The arm of the crane is placed upwards and loads of for instance up 20 to 5000 tons can be lifted in a stable manner. In the lifting mode, the roll period is reduced compared to the transit mode to for instance about 10-12 s and comparable to known lift vessels and barges during lifting. Preferably the hull has a generally T-shaped cross-section such that an abrupt change between the wide upper section and the narrower lower section is achieved and 25 a change between the shallow draft mode and the lifting mode requires a relatively small change in draft level. The T-shaped cross-section also results in two clearly defined operational modes, which are not dependent on draft level, such as is the case for a hull which for instance has a gradual change in width when going from the lower section to the upper section of the vessel. The transverse parts of the T-shaped hull may 30 for instance be formed by side extensions in longitudinal direction. The vessel according to the invention may have a width at the lower section of between 0.6 and 0.9 times the width of the upper section, preferably between 0.6 times and 0.8 times, most preferably between 0.7 and 0.8 times the width of the upper 3 section. The height of the upper section Hu may be between 0.2 and 0.5 times the height HO from keel level the deck level, preferably between 0.2 and 0.4 times the height HO, most preferably between 0.3 and 0.4 times the height Ho. The upper section of a relatively large width comprises two longitudinal side extensions extending from 5 the location of the crane on the vessel preferably between 0.5 and 0.9 times the length of the vessel Lo, more preferably between 0.6 and 0.8 times, most preferably between 0.7 and 0.8 times the length LO. An example of a vessel according to the invention has an overall length of for instance 180 m, a width of the lower section of 36 m, a width of the upper section of 47 m, and a height from deck level to keel level of 18 m. 10 The crane may be situated near the stern of the vessel such that in the transit mode the arm is supported on the deck of the vessel. In a preferred embodiment of the vessel, next to having lifting capabilities, is laid out as a pipe-lay vessel, a pipe transporting trajectory extending in a length direction of the vessel below the crane. In the shallow draft mode, pipe segments can be connected and the pipe can be fed along 15 the firing line to the sea bed. As the shallow draft mode results in reduced roll motions, the pipe lay operations can be continued under high sea states without the need to abandon the pipe. In one embodiment a pipe exit point is situated at the stern, the pipe transporting trajectory in the lifting mode being situated below water level, the exit point being closed by watertight doors. The firing line for the pipe is situated below 20 deck level, leaving free area for voluminous deckloads on the deck. During lifting operations, the pipe exit point is sealed, for instance by a double watertight door. In one embodiment according to the invention, the separate ballast tanks situated at different levels allow optimal positioning of the centre of gravity and buoyancy of the vessel by the ballast control system, to be optimally adapted to the 25 specific operation, be it transit, pipe laying or lifting. A double deck is preferably supported on top of substantially flat ballast tanks, with the upper (working) deck at a distance from the top of the tanks. External reinforcement structures on the top of the tank provide stiffness and stability. As no support structures have to be included inside the ballast tanks, no air is entrapped in air WO 2007/069897 PCT/NL2006/050317 4 pockets inside the ballast tanks during ballasting, which results in water movement in the tanks being excluded by which improved stability is achieved. The double deck configuration also allows welding to the upper deck without damaging the anti corrosion coating on the top of tank. 5 In one embodiment counterbalance means are provided on the crane for placing the centre of gravity of the crane and a relatively small load, on a vertical axis of rotation of the crane. In this manner, the crane can lift small loads, such as for instance up to 100 tons, without heel, when the vessel is in the transit mode, while having a rotational freedom of 3600. 10 Some embodiments of a multi-purpose dual draft lifting and pipe-lay vessel according to the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a side view of a dual draft pipelay and lifting vessel according to the invention, 15 Figures 2 and 3 show a top view of the top deck and of the pipe lay deck respectively of the vessel of figure 1, Figure 4 shows a rear view of the vessel of figure 1, Figure 5 shows a perspective bottom view of a vessel according to the invention, Figure 6 shows a schematic transverse cross-sectional view, and 20 Figures 7 and 8 show perspective views of a vessel according to the invention in a lifting mode and in a shallow draft mode, respectively. Figure 1 shows a lifting and pipe-lay multipurpose vessel 1 having a crane 2 on deck and a firing line 3 for laying of a pipe or cable 4 onto the seabed 5. The arm 6 of the crane 2 can be in a lifting position 8, in which is up righted or can be in the transit 25 position 9, in which it extends generally parallel to the deck 10 of the vessel. The hull 12 of the vessel is of a substantially closed surface. With "closed surface" is intended that the hull does not have a columnar structure piercing the waterline, but has as a water line a closed contour. The hull 12 has a relatively narrow lower section 26 of height H, and a relatively wide top section 27 of height Hu. The 30 wide top section is formed by side extensions 25 extending from a widening level 28 up to deck level 16. The total height of vessel 1 between keel level 15 and deck level 16 is indicated as HO.

WO 2007/069897 PCT/NL2006/050317 5 At keel level 15, the vessel is at the stem 20 provided with thrusters 17 for propulsion and with thrusters 18 and 19 for dynamic positioning and station keeping. Fenders 18'and 18" are situated at the different draft levels D1, D2 for distance keeping both in the transit mode and in the lifting mode. 5 Schematically indicated is a draft control system 30, comprising computing means and a data input device, which controls pumps supplying water to upper and lower ballast tanks 31,32, as schematically indicated by line 33 signifying an electrical or electro-optical control line. By the draft control system 30, the ballast tanks 31, 32 can be selectively filled to obtain a shallow draft level DIin which the wide top section 10 27 is above water level. At the draft level D1, the firing line 35 for laying of pipes 4 is above water level. In transit at draft level D1, the crane 2 is in a locked position in which the arm 6 rests on a support 36. In operational situations at draft D1 the crane 2 can be in use with the arm 6 elevated. The tanks 31, 32 are ballasted in such a manner that optimal roll behavior during pipe laying is obtained. The ballast tanks 31 extend 15 along the whole length of the side extensions 25. Upon ballasting of the tanks 32 by the ballast control system 30 to the lifting a draft level D2, the side extensions 25 of the wide top section 27 are partly submerged, for instance over a depth of 2 m. The firing line 35 is now situated below water level, the stern exit opening 45 of the firing line being closed off by a watertight door 40. 20 Now the arm of the crane 2 can be raised, and loads can be lifted. Dynamic ballasting compartments 31 are present within the hull 12 to form a counterbalance for the load and to prevent heeling, the compartments being filled under control of the ballast control system 30, depending on the angular position of the crane 2. Figure 2 illustrates the crane deck 10, the crane being rotated slightly around its 25 vertical axis of rotation 41. Dynamic ballast tanks 31,31' which extend in the rear section 45, are filled or emptied under control of the ballast control system 30 to prevent heel of the vessel upon lifting of a load. In figure 3, the firing line 35 for the pipe-lay operations is shown, the pipe exiting the vessel 1 at the stem 20 via exit opening 45 (over a stinger construction which is not 30 shown in the drawing). The side extensions 25, 25'comprise ballast tanks 31, 31 'and extend along a length L, of for instance 134 m, at a total length Lo of the vessel 1 from bow 47 to stem 20 of 183 m.

6 As can be seen from figure 4, the crane 2 comprises a ballast unit 50 which is used to maintain the centre of gravity of the crane and small loads, for instance up to 100 tons, on the vertical rotation axis 41, such that a 3600 rotation under small load handling at zero heel is possible for the shallower draft level D1. As shown in figure 4, 5 the exit opening 45 is below water level at the lifting draft level D2, and is in that case closed by a watertight door 40. The height of the deck level H 0 is for instance 18 m, and the height H, of the side extensions 25 at midship is for instance 6 m. The lower part of the side extensions is situated at a height HI of for instance 9 m, and the side extension width Ws is for instance 5 m. 10 The crane 2 further comprises counterbalance means for placing the centre of gravity of the crane and a relatively small load on a vertical axis of rotation of the crane. Figure 5 gives a general overview of the hull shape of the vessel of the present invention. As can be seen in figure 6, the main working deck 10 is supported at a 15 distance from the flat top 50 of the tanks 31, via girders 51. In the space between the deck 10 and the top 50' of the tanks, which may have a height of for instance 2.1 m, air ventilation pipes, 52, 53 are situated. Since the girders 51 external of the ballast tanks 50, they provide reinforcement for said tanks without causing air entrapment at the top of the tanks, which air entrapment may lead to instability is. Furthermore welding on 20 the upper (working) deck is possible without damaging the anti-corrosion coating of the top of tanks. The lower section 26 can be seen to have a width W, of for instance 35 m, whereas the top section 27 has a width Wt of 46 m, each side extension 25, 85 having a width W, of 5.5 m. Finally, figure is 7 and 8 schematically show the vessel I in a transit mode, at 25 shallow draft level DI, and in the lifting mode, at deep draft level D2. It should be noted that although the examples refer to the shallow draft mode operation as part laying, other operations may be envisaged such as lifting preparation, general construction and accommodation services. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, 30 except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the 7 invention. It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. 5

Claims

1. Single-hulled vessel comprising a hull of a single substantially closed surface having at deck level a lifting crane, upper and lower ballast tanks 5 within the hull and a ballast control unit for admitting water to the lower ballast tanks for changing the draft of the vessel, wherein the hull has a narrow lower section having first width over a height from keel level to a widening level, lower ballast tanks being situated in the lower section, and a top section have a larger width than the lower section, extending from the widening level 10 upwards towards deck level, the upper ballast tanks being situated in the upper section, wherein the ballast control unit is adapted to ballast the lower ballast tanks to control the draft of the vessel such as to have a relatively shallow draft level in a transit mode wherein the crane extends substantially parallel to a deck and the wide top section is above water level while the vessel is 15 traveling, and to ballast the vessel to a relatively deep draft level in a lifting mode such that the widening level is below water level, at least when the vessel is substantially stationary and the crane is in an up righted lifting position, the upper ballast tanks being filled and emptied under control of the ballast control unit for providing an anti-heeling moment during lifting. 20

2. Vessel according to claim 1, wherein a transverse cross-section of the hull is of generally T-shaped form.

3. Vessel according to claim 1, wherein the width of the lower section is 25 between 0.6 and 0.9 times the width of the top section.

4. Vessel according to claim 3, wherein the width of the lower section is between 0.6 times and 0.8 times the width of the top section. 30

5. Vessel according to claim 4, wherein the width of the lower section is between 0.7 and 0.8 times the width of the top section.

6. Vessel according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the height of the top section is between 0.2 and 0.5 times the height from keel level to deck level. 9

7. Vessel according to claim 6, wherein the height of the top section is between 0.2 and 0.4 times the height from keel to deck level. 5

8. Vessel according to claim 7, wherein the height of the top section is between 0.3 and 0.4 times the height from keel to deck level.

9. Vessel according to claim 1, wherein the upper section comprises two longitudinal side extensions extending from the location of the crane on the 10 vessel between 0.5 and 0.9 times the length of the vessel.

10. Vessel according to claim 9, wherein the side extensions extend from the location of the crane on the vessel between 0.6 and 0.8 times the length of the vessel. 15

11. Vessel according to claim 10, wherein the side extensions extend from the location of the crane on the vessel between 0.7 and 0.8 times the length of the vessel. 20

12. Vessel according to claims 1, wherein side extensions are positioned relative to the crane to create buoyancy at the location of the crane.

13. Vessel according to claim 1, wherein a pipe extends in a length direction of the vessel, below the crane. 25

14. Vessel according to claim 13, wherein a pipe exit point is situated at the stern, the pipe in the lifting mode being situated below water level, the exit point being closed by an openable sealing member. 30

15. Vessel according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a deck supported on substantially flat ballast tanks and in spaced relation with respect to said tanks. 10

16. Vessel according to claim 1, wherein counterbalance means are provided on the crane for placing the centre of gravity of the crane and a relatively small load, on a vertical axis of rotation of the crane. 5

17. Vessel according to claim 1, having low resistance properties at shallow draft levels resulting in a high transit speed or low fuel consumption during transit.

18. A vessel substantially as herein described with reference to the 10 accompanying drawings.